Negotiators take heart at Obama climate change comments

LE BOURGET, France - France's environment minister is welcoming U.S. President Barack Obama's pledge to push for a climate accord that includes legally binding promises.

Obama said on the sidelines of climate negotiations in Paris that parts of the accord should be binding to hold countries accountable.

But Obama's remarks were a boost to many negotiators, including host France, who want a strong accord.

Environment Minister Segolene Royal told The Associated Press in Paris that "With Barack Obama's comments we have crossed a new threshold. ... We really feel a collective dynamic that has now been set in motion."

She said "there was doubt before" about the U.S. position. It "is really extraordinary news that comes at a good time, at the beginning" of the conference.